As it was a sandwich degree with two 6 month placements, I needed a sponsor. In stepped BAM, who in Coventry alone is behind the Severn Trent Water Centre and the new Science and Health Building for Coventry University. BAM made me an offer of a bursary but what really appealed to me about their approach was that they have a regional structure, which gives their people a bit more stability. Working in their Midlands region meant I could live at home and commute to work. As a student it’s all about saving those pennies!
Since then I combined working for BAM with my degree, until graduating last June. I’ve worked on BAM’s £45 million student village scheme for Aston University, the £30 million
Shirley Parkgate mixed use development with a basement carpark, and I am now working on its £30 million care village for
Richmond Villages and Bupa in Oxfordshire, as an assistant site manager.
An apprenticeship or a sandwich course at university is a great way to get into the industry because the first thing that most companies ask for is experience. I’d strongly encourage people to consider an apprenticeship or work experience to give them an insight into the working world before they commit to a career path. With BAM there are so many different opportunities all over the country.
It’s a very rewarding career, and I’m still learning a lot – who knows what I’ll be helping to build in ten years! I can only hope that by sharing my story other people may think twice about their choices and consider going into construction one way or another, no matter what their age or gender.
If you would like to work with BAM, find out more about our
graduate and training opportunities.
